Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s7.t8.32

v1.c7.s7.t8.32

The so-called *Jiva* in Jainism is roughly equivalent to something that exists eternally in living bodies, and is also different from the "self" (soul) in other religious sects. According to such Jain texts as *Tattvarthadhigamasutra*, *Jiva* does not just exist in living bodies, but also resides in non-living entities. Jainism divides *Jiva* into two types: one is stuck in reincarnation cycle; the other is liberated. The "reincarnated" *jiva* is further divided into *Trasa jiva* (mobile *jiva*) and *Sthavara jiva* (immobile *jiva*). *Sthavara jiva* exists in earth, water and plants, while *Trasa jiva* exists in animals that possess more than one sense-organ. Thus, the "reincarnated" *jiva* exists in virtually everything, including living things and non-living things, like earth and water. Therefore, it can be said that Jainism had actually proposed a belief that "everything is alive", which is a notion highly representative of the religion. The liberated *jiva* apparently refers to the souls that have broken free from material bondage. It is a fundamental goal of Jainism to free *Jiva* from bondage.